KENT, Ohio — With schools tentatively reopening this fall, one foreseeable issue is how can school bands safely practice their music during a pandemic?

What You Need To Know

  • The marching band hasn't been able to practice on the field all together

  • Precautions include social distancing and only half the band practicing at a time

  • Practice is strictly outdoors

Some members of the Theodore Roosevelt High School marching band in Kent are looking forward to making music with their classmates again.

“They are in the same boat as me; they’ve been looking forward to going back to school and doing band for so long that we are all just kind of willing to take whatever we can get,” said senior Isabella Kunsch.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of trial and error, but I think it’s better to be safe than sorry. So maybe having outdoor practices during class,” said senior Andrew Valetta.

Some studies show while musical instruments do generate airborne droplets that are large enough to transmit COVID-19, there’s not enough research to be conclusive about the results. Experts believe the situation is manageable for both performers and the audience.

“The airstream flow through instruments, they are also doing studies—singers and actors—to see what precautions can be taken to make the best of a bad situation,” said Dr. John Roebke, the band director.

Roebke said he’s making sure his students are following precautions while they practice.

The high school band is used to working together as one so practicing in separate groups hasn’t been easy.

“They are social distancing. We are doing small group sectionals. We have half the band at a time,” said Roebke. “We half off each section (with) hour-long sectionals. Everything is outdoors and kids wear masks when they are not playing.”